“Let’s find out.I’m going to leave you all alone now, and you call your husband.”
“Allie,” I started tentatively.She stopped at the tremor in my voice.“I don’t even know what to say to him.How to even start to talk to him.About any of this.”
She gave me a small, understanding smile.“Start with the letter he sent you.How it made you feel.Ask how he’s doing, if his memory is improving.Tell him you just wanted to say, if he expects you to text him a picture of your ass, he’ll have to send you a dick pic first.”
Allie knew exactly how to calm my nerves and ease my anxiety.
I loved my best friend.
Since Allie had the front covered, I stepped out the back emergency exit and stared at Aaron’s name on my phone.My thumb hovered over the button as an internal battle of wills waged.My head screamed not to trust him again, that I’d be a fool to forgive and forget.
My heart said I’d never find another man like him, that I’d regret not giving him another chance for the rest of my life.The dire warning crashed through my carefully constructed walls.Then a vision of him giving his heart to someone else nearly incited a panic attack and prompted me to act.
My thumb jerked, hitting the call button, and his phone barely had time to ring before he answered.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Aaron.”It felt strange not to know what to say to my husband.“How are you?”
“I’ve had better days.How are you?”His usual warm, loving tone had disappeared.He sounded detached and cautious.
“Did something happen?Are you okay?”I was honestly concerned about him.He didn’t sound like my Aaron.
“Oh, let’s see,” he began, and I closed my eyes just to listen to his voice.“The judge denied your request for an annulment a few days ago, but your lawyer is abnormally expedient.
“Your process server is especially efficient too.He’s already been by to hand-deliver your divorce papers.I assume you’ve called to ask if I can send them back today so the next six months will fly by.”
The palpable pain in his voice brought me to my knees.I had no idea he’d receive the papers today.Jared’s assistant filled them out at the same time I filed for an annulment, just in case.When I filed the divorce papers, it simply felt like the next logical step.
Then I had to face how much that action hurt Aaron.He hurt me.I hurt him.He fought to hold on to me.I hurt him again.Every day for the last thirty-five days, I’d received a text from him with one reason why he loves me and one memory he has of me.
“Aaron,” I replied, barely holding back the sob trying to break free.
“I understand, Christa.I had the best person in the world as my wife, and I fucked everything up, as usual.It’s my calling card.I don’t blame you at all.
“As for the papers, I’ll have a courier deliver them to you as quickly as possible.One less thing for you to worry about.”
“Aaron, wait.”
“I really have to go, Christa.I’m in the middle of a meeting,” he interrupted me.“You take care of yourself.”The gentle, loving inflection in his words automatically prompted the tears.
Then he disconnected.
Just like that, he was gone.
Aaron
“That wasthe hardest fucking thing I’ve ever had to do.”
“I know it was, my boy.But it was necessary,” Delilah replied.“Trust me.I’d never steer you wrong as long as you’re doing right by my girl.”
“How is that supposed to help me convince her not to go through with the divorce?”
“You’ve been chasing her.She’s gotten a taste of how good it feels to be wanted, and believe me, she likes it.
“But she filed the papers anyway.Out of spite or pride doesn’t matter—neither will do her any good in the long run.Now, she needs to understand how it feels to think she has truly lost you.She has to learn to appreciate you and your love for her.”
“I don’t like playing games.I’d rather just tell her exactly how I feel.Be honest and upfront.”
